U.S. patent application number 12/863223 was filed with the patent office on 2010-12-09 for teat.
This patent application is currently assigned to KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS ELECTRONICS N.V.. Invention is credited to Paulus Cornelis Duineveld, Carolien Willemijn Geijzendorffer, Johannes Tseard Van Der Kooi, Fokke Roelof Voorhorst.
Application Number | 20100308001 12/863223 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 39432848 |
Filed Date | 2010-12-09 |
United States Patent
Application |
20100308001 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Duineveld; Paulus Cornelis ;
et al. |
December 9, 2010 |
TEAT
Abstract
A teat (100) comprising a stem and a nipple, in which a
structured area (300) comprising an undulating surface (301) is
provided on at least a partial region of the stem (101) or nipple
(102), the surface roughness (Rz) of the undulating surface (301)
being greater than 100 .mu.m.
Inventors: |
Duineveld; Paulus Cornelis;
(Drachten, NL) ; Geijzendorffer; Carolien Willemijn;
(Mussel, NL) ; Voorhorst; Fokke Roelof; (Drachten,
NL) ; Van Der Kooi; Johannes Tseard; (Drachten,
NL) |
Correspondence
Address: |
PHILIPS INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY & STANDARDS
P.O. BOX 3001
BRIARCLIFF MANOR
NY
10510
US
|
Assignee: |
KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS ELECTRONICS
N.V.
EINDHOVEN
NL
|
Family ID: |
39432848 |
Appl. No.: |
12/863223 |
Filed: |
January 20, 2009 |
PCT Filed: |
January 20, 2009 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/IB09/50198 |
371 Date: |
July 16, 2010 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
215/11.1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A61J 11/005 20130101;
A61J 11/045 20130101; A61J 11/00 20130101; A61J 11/001 20130101;
A61J 11/0015 20130101; A61J 11/003 20130101; A61J 11/0035 20130101;
A61J 11/0045 20130101; A61J 11/006 20130101; A61J 11/0065 20130101;
A61J 11/007 20130101; A61J 11/02 20130101; A61J 17/00 20130101;
A61J 17/1111 20200501; A61J 17/02 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
215/11.1 |
International
Class: |
A61J 11/00 20060101
A61J011/00 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Jan 25, 2008 |
EP |
08150657.8 |
Claims
1. A teat comprising a stem and a nipple, wherein a structured area
comprising an undulating surface is provided on at least a partial
region of the stem or nipple, the surface roughness R.sub.z of the
undulating surface being greater than 100 .mu.m.
2. A teat according to claim 1, wherein the surface roughness
R.sub.z of the undulating surface is at least 120 .mu.m.
3. A teat according to claim 1, wherein the surface roughness
R.sub.z of the undulating surface is 600 .mu.m or less.
4. A teat according to claim 1, wherein the undulating surface
comprises a plurality of elevated regions and a plurality of
depressed regions and the average distance between adjacent
elevated regions is at least 200 .mu.m.
5. A teat according to claim 4, wherein the elevated regions of the
undulating surface have varying geometric properties.
6. A teat according to claim 4, wherein the average distance
between adjacent elevated regions is equal to or less than 20
mm.
7. A teat according to claim 4, wherein the average distance
between adjacent elevated regions is equal to or less than 3
mm.
8. A teat according to claim 4, wherein the average distance
between adjacent elevated regions is equal to or less than 1
mm.
9. A teat according to claim 1, wherein the undulating surface
comprises a secondary structured area comprising a secondary
undulating surface.
10. A teat according to claim 9, wherein the secondary undulating
surface comprises a plurality of elevated regions and a plurality
of depressed regions.
11. A teat according to claim 10, wherein the average distance
between adjacent elevated regions of the undulating surface is
greater than the average distance between adjacent elevated regions
of the secondary undulating surface.
12. A teat according to claim 10, wherein the average distance
between adjacent elevated regions of the secondary undulating
surface is 100 .mu.m or less.
13. A teat according to claim 10, wherein the elevated regions of
the secondary undulating surface have varying geometric
properties.
14. A teat according to claim 1, wherein the structured area is
provided on an external region of a wall of the stem or nipple, and
an internal region of the wall has a profile which substantially
matches the profile of the structured area.
15. A teat according to claim 1, wherein the teat is adapted to
cooperate with a feeding bottle.
16. A feeding bottle assembly comprising a feeding bottle and a
teat according to claim 1.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates to a teat comprising a stem
and a nipple, in which a structured area comprising an undulating
surface is provided on at least a partial region of the stem or the
nipple.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Teats are used for artificial feeding and are commonly used
with feeding bottles for supplying milk to children. For example, a
conventional teat may cooperate with the lid of a feeding bottle to
provide a means through which milk stored in the bottle can be
supplied to a child.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0003] It is advantageous for such teats to simulate a mother's
breast, as it is known that children generally prefer the
experience of feeding from their mother's breast to that of feeding
from a conventional teat. It is thought that this preference is due
to the differences in shape, texture and appearance between a
mother's breast and a conventional feeding teat and, although
attempts have made to develop teats to address this problem,
conventional and prior art teats have so far insufficiently been
able to imitate all of the above characteristics of a mother's
breast.
[0004] According to the invention, there is provided a teat
comprising a stem and a nipple, wherein a structured area
comprising an undulating surface is provided on at least a partial
region of the stem or nipple, the surface roughness of the
undulating surface being greater than 100 .mu.m.
[0005] The surface roughness R.sub.z of the undulating surface may
be at least 120 .mu.m.
[0006] The surface roughness R.sub.z of the undulating surface may
be 600 .mu.m or less.
[0007] The undulating surface may comprise a plurality of elevated
regions and a plurality of depressed regions and the average
distance between adjacent elevated regions may be at least 200
.mu.m.
[0008] The elevated regions of the undulating surface may have
varying geometric properties.
[0009] The average distance between adjacent elevated regions may
be equal to or less than 20 mm.
[0010] The average distance between adjacent elevated regions may
be equal to or less than 3 mm.
[0011] The average distance between adjacent elevated regions may
be equal to or less than 1 mm.
[0012] The undulating surface may comprise a secondary structured
area comprising a secondary undulating surface.
[0013] The secondary undulating surface may comprise a plurality of
elevated regions and a plurality of depressed regions.
[0014] The average distance between adjacent elevated regions of
the undulating surface may be greater than the average distance
between adjacent elevated regions of the secondary undulating
surface.
[0015] The average distance between adjacent elevated regions of
the secondary undulating surface may be 100 .mu.m or less.
[0016] The elevated regions of the secondary undulating surface may
have varying geometric properties.
[0017] The structured area may be provided on an external region of
a wall of the stem or nipple, and an internal region of the wall
may have a profile which substantially matches the profile of the
structured area.
[0018] The teat may be adapted to cooperate with a feeding
bottle.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0019] Embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way
of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings in
which:
[0020] FIG. 1 is a side-view and a plan-view of a teat having a
stem, nipple and structured area, and a teat in cooperation with a
lid of a feeding bottle.
[0021] FIG. 2 is a two-dimensional representation of a first
example of an undulating surface, having a plurality of sloping
regions, elevated regions and depressed regions.
[0022] FIG. 3 is a three-dimensional representation of a first
example of an undulating surface, having a plurality of sloping
regions, elevated regions and depressed regions.
[0023] FIG. 4 is a two-dimensional representation of a second
example of an undulating surface, having a plurality of sloping
regions, elevated regions and depressed regions.
[0024] FIG. 5 is a three-dimensional representation of a second
example of an undulating surface, having a plurality of sloping
regions, elevated regions and depressed regions.
[0025] FIG. 6 is a three-dimensional representation of a third
example of an undulating surface, having a plurality of sloping
regions, elevated regions and depressed regions.
[0026] FIG. 7 is a three-dimensional representation of a fourth
example of an undulating surface, having a plurality of sloping
regions, elevated regions and depressed regions.
[0027] FIG. 8 is a three-dimensional representation of a fifth
example of an undulating surface, having a plurality of sloping
regions, elevated regions and depressed regions.
[0028] FIG. 9 is a two-dimensional representation of an undulating
surface comprising a secondary structured area comprising a
secondary undulating surface.
[0029] FIG. 10 is a two-dimensional representation of a secondary
undulating surface comprising a plurality of sloping regions,
elevated regions and depressed regions.
[0030] FIG. 11 is a two-dimensional representation of an undulating
surface or secondary undulating surface comprising a plurality of
sloping regions, elevated regions and depressed regions having
varying geometric properties.
[0031] FIG. 12 is a two-dimensional representation of the
substantially matching profiles of an exterior surface and interior
surface of a wall of a teat.
[0032] FIG. 13 is a side-view and a plan-view of a teat having a
stem, nipple and structured area.
[0033] FIG. 14 is a side-view and a plan-view of a teat having a
stem, nipple and structured area.
[0034] FIG. 15 is a side-view and a plan-view of a teat having a
stem, nipple and structured area.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS
[0035] A teat 100 suitable for supplying milk to a baby, infant or
child is shown in FIG. 1. The teat 100 is adapted to cooperate with
a feeding bottle 200, for example by cooperating with a lid 201 of
the feeding bottle 200. The teat 100 may additionally be adapted
such that it is easily detached from the lid 201 for cleaning
purposes.
[0036] As is shown by FIG. 1, the teat 100 comprises a stem 101 and
a nipple 102, through which milk or other fluid may pass. For
example, milk or fluid may pass through one or more feeding
openings 103 in the nipple 102 when a pressure difference is
created between the interior and exterior of the nipple 102. This
pressure difference may be created by a child sucking on the teat
100.
[0037] A structured area 300 is provided on at least a partial
region of an exterior surface 104 of the stem 101 or nipple 102 of
the teat 100. An example of the structured area 300 is shown by the
shaded area in FIG. 1. The structured area 300 may comprise an
undulating surface 301 including a plurality of sloping regions
302, a plurality of elevated regions 303 and a plurality of
depressed regions 304. A first example of a section of such an
undulating surface 301 is shown in two-dimensions and
three-dimensions by FIG. 2 and FIG. 3 respectively, in which the
sloping regions 302, elevated regions 303 and depressed regions 304
can be clearly identified.
[0038] As is shown by FIG. 3, the first example of the undulating
surface 301 is formed of a plurality of substantially parallel
ridges, which are separated from one another by a series of
substantially parallel troughs. These ridges and troughs define the
sloping, elevated and depressed regions 302, 303, 304 of the
undulating surface 301. It should be noted that, for the purposes
of clearly showing the sloping regions 302, the scales of the
horizontal and vertical axes in FIG. 3 are substantially different
to one another. As such, the gradient of the sloping regions 302 in
FIG. 3 is exaggerated.
[0039] As is shown by the two-dimensional representation of FIG. 2,
the cross-section of the undulating surface 301 of this first
example may substantially correspond to the form of a sine
wave.
[0040] The vertical distance between adjacent elevated and
depressed regions 303, 304 is represented in FIG. 2 by distance A.
An average vertical distance between the elevated regions 303 and
depressed regions 304 can be represented in terms of a surface
roughness R.sub.z, which is the average of the distance, measured
along the vertical axis of the elevated and depressed regions 303,
304, between adjacent elevated and depressed regions 303, 304 of
the undulating surface 301.
[0041] The undulating surface 301 may have a surface roughness
R.sub.z of greater than 100 .mu.m, and may have a surface roughness
of not less than 120 .mu.m. The undulating surface may also have a
distance .lamda..sub.1 between adjacent elevated regions 303 in a
range between 200 .mu.m and 20 mm. Alternatively, the distance
.lamda..sub.1 between adjacent elevated regions 303 may be in a
range between 200 .mu.m and 3 mm. As a further alternative, the
distance .lamda..sub.1 between adjacent elevated regions 303 may be
in a range between 200 .mu.m and 1 mm. The same set of ranges may
also apply to the distance .lamda..sub.2 between adjacent depressed
regions 304. These ranges may additionally apply to any of the
alternative examples of the undulating surface 301 discussed below.
As is indicated by FIG. 2, the distances .lamda..sub.1,
.lamda..sub.2 between adjacent elevated regions 303 and depressed
regions 304 are measured perpendicular to the axis of the surface
roughness depth R.sub.z.
[0042] The undulating surface 301 is smooth to the touch due to the
human finger only sensing the elevated regions 303. The undulating
surface 301 also provides the structured area 300 with a very low
gliding resistance and increases the similarities in physical
appearance between the teat 100 and a mother's breast. The
resemblance between the texture, feel and appearance of the teat
100 and the texture, feel and appearance of a mother's breast is
thus increased.
[0043] When the distances .lamda..sub.1, .lamda..sub.2 between
adjacent elevated regions 303 and depressed regions 304 are in the
ranges discussed above, the structured area 300 of the teat 100 may
be to some degree transparent. This is convenient for a user of the
feeding bottle 200 with which the teat 100 may be being used, for
example a child's mother or father, as it allows the interior of
the teat 100 to be viewed without having to remove the lid 201 of
the feeding bottle 200. The user is therefore able to see when the
interior of the teat 100 is dirty and requires cleaning.
[0044] A second example of a section of undulating surface 301 is
shown in two-dimensions and three-dimensions by FIG. 4 and FIG. 5
respectively. As with the first example discussed above in relation
to FIGS. 2 and 3, the undulating surface 301 comprises a plurality
of sloping regions 302, elevated regions 303 and depressed regions
304 defined by a series of parallel ridges and troughs. However, as
can be seen from FIGS. 4 and 5, the troughs defining the depressed
regions 304 of this second example are substantially wider than the
troughs defining the depressed regions 304 in the first
example.
[0045] Referring to the two-dimensional representation of the
undulating surface 301 shown in FIG. 4, the cross-section of the
undulating surface 301 of the second example may substantially
correspond to a discontinuous sine wave, in which the lower half of
the sine wave is replaced by a series of flat sections joining
adjacent peaks. As such, each of the troughs defining the depressed
regions 304 in this example of the undulating surface 301 comprises
a substantially flat base region, which is joined at each of its
ends to the sloping regions 302. This example of the undulating
surface 301 is advantageous from a manufacturing point of view, as
it can be fabricated using a relatively simple mould.
[0046] Although FIG. 4 shows the two-dimensional form of the
undulating surface 301 as substantially corresponding to the upper
half of a sine wave, it will be appreciated that the undulating
surface 301 could alternatively correspond to any other proportion
of a sine wave. For example, the undulating surface 301 may
substantially correspond to the upper quarter or third of a sine
wave, with substantially flat sections joining the sloping regions
302.
[0047] A third example of a section of undulating surface 301 is
shown in three dimensions by FIG. 6. As with the examples discussed
above, this example of the undulating surface 301 comprises a
plurality of sloping regions 302, a plurality of elevated regions
303 and a plurality of depressed regions 304. However, as is shown
by FIG. 6, the undulating surface 301 of this example differs from
the first and second examples in that the elevated, depressed and
sloping regions 302, 303, 304 are defined by a pattern of
protrusions and depressions rather than a series of ridges and
troughs.
[0048] The structure of the pattern of protrusions and depressions
which define the elevated, depressed and sloping regions 302, 303,
304 of this example of the undulating surface 301 is described by
the following mathematical function:
f(x,y)=SinaxSinay where a=0.3 Equation (1)
[0049] Each of the units shown on the xy scale in FIG. 6 may
correspond to a distance in a range between 60 .mu.m and 300 .mu.m.
Hence the example shown in FIG. 6 may have a surface roughness
depth R.sub.z in a range between 120 .mu.m and 600 .mu.m.
Alternatively, the example shown in FIG. 6 may have a surface
roughness depth R.sub.z in a range between 120 .mu.m and 300
.mu.m.
[0050] The distance .lamda..sub.1 between adjacent elevated regions
303 may be in a range between 1.2 mm and 6 mm. Alternatively, the
distance .lamda..sub.1 between adjacent elevated regions 303 may
correspond to any of the distance ranges discussed in relation to
the first example of the undulating surface 301. The same set of
ranges may also apply to the distance .lamda..sub.2 between
adjacent depressed regions 304. As with the first example discussed
above, the distances .lamda..sub.1, .lamda..sub.2 between adjacent
elevated regions 303 and depressed regions 304 are measured
perpendicular to the axis of the elevated and depressed regions
303, 304 in a manner corresponding to that shown in FIG. 2.
[0051] Alternatively, the structure of the protrusions and
depressions which define the elevated and depressed regions 303,
304 may correspond to any other combination of the product of Sinx
and Siny. For instance, referring to FIG. 7, a fourth example of a
section of an undulating surface 301 is shown in which the
structure of the pattern of protrusions and depressions is
described by the function:
f(x,y)=Sin(x+y)Sin(x-y) Equation (2)
[0052] This example has the advantage that, from whatever angle the
undulating surface 301 is viewed, the surface roughness depth
R.sub.z and distances .lamda..sub.1, .lamda..sub.2 are always
constant.
[0053] A fifth example of a section of an undulating surface 301 is
shown in three dimensions in FIG. 8. This example of the undulating
surface 301 differs from the third and fourth examples discussed
above in that the depressed regions 304 correspond to substantially
flat sections which join the sloping regions 302. In this regard,
this example of the undulating surface 301 is similar to the second
example discussed in relation to FIGS. 4 and 5. The structure of
the elevated regions 303 of this example of the undulating surface
301 may correspond to those shown in FIG. 6 or FIG. 7, or may be
described by any other combination of the product of Sinx and Siny
as previously discussed. The magnitude of the surface roughness
R.sub.z and distances .lamda..sub.1, .lamda..sub.2 may correspond
to any those discussed in the previous examples.
[0054] The surface area of the protrusions defining the elevated
regions 303 relative to the surface area of the substantially flat
sections defining the depressed areas 304 can be varied as
described in relation to FIG. 4. There is no requirement for the
pattern of protrusions and depressions to be symmetrical as shown
in FIG. 8.
[0055] Referring to FIGS. 9 and 10, any of the first to fifth
examples of the structured area 300 comprising an undulating
surface 301, discussed above in relation to FIGS. 2 to 8, may
additionally comprise a secondary structured area 400.
[0056] The secondary structured area 400 may be provided on the
undulating surface 301, and may comprise a secondary undulating
surface 401 including a plurality of sloping regions 402, a
plurality of elevated regions 403 and a plurality of depressed
regions 404.
[0057] The form of the secondary undulating surface 401 may, for
example, correspond to the form of any of the examples of the
undulating surface 301 discussed above in relation to FIGS. 2 to 8.
The surface roughness R.sub.SZ and distances .lamda..sub.S1,
.lamda..sub.S2 between adjacent elevated regions 403 and depressed
regions 404 of the secondary undulating surface 401 may, however,
be smaller than those discussed in relation to the examples of the
undulating surface 301.
[0058] For example, the distance .lamda..sub.S1 between adjacent
elevated regions 403 may be of 100 .mu.m or less. Alternatively,
the distance .lamda..sub.S1 between adjacent elevated regions 403
may be in a range between 0.1 .mu.m and 400 .mu.m. The distance
.lamda..sub.S2 between adjacent depressed regions 404 may be of an
equivalent, or approximately equivalent, value to the distance
.lamda..sub.S1. The surface roughness R.sub.sz of the secondary
undulating surface 401 may be in a range between 0.2 .mu.m and 10
.mu.m. The definitions of R.sub.SZ, .lamda..sub.S1 and
.lamda..sub.S2 substantially correspond to the definitions of
R.sub.z, .lamda..sub.1 and .lamda..sub.2 given in relation to the
first example of the undulating surface 301 discussed above.
[0059] The secondary undulating surface 401 may be formed over the
entire undulating surface 301, or may be formed over only a partial
region thereof.
[0060] The combination of the undulating surface 301 and secondary
undulating surface 401 further contributes to the overall smooth
feel and low gliding resistance of the structured area 300, and
increases the resemblance between the texture, feel and appearance
of the structured area 300 and the texture, feel and appearance of
a mother's breast.
[0061] The secondary structured area 400 may be formed during
manufacture of the teat 100 using techniques such as sandblasting
or chemical etching. The location of the secondary structured area
400 may be at the nipple 102 of the teat 100, such that the area
400 is in contact with the mouth of the baby or child during
feeding.
[0062] In relation to all examples of the undulating surface 301
and secondary undulating surface 401 discussed above, the geometric
properties of the elevated regions 303, 403 and depressed regions
304, 404 may be substantially uniform as is shown, for example, in
FIGS. 6 and 7. It should be noted, however, that this is not a
requirement of the invention. The elevated regions 303, 403 of any
particular example may vary in height and width, and may also be of
varying distances apart from one another. The same is true of the
depressed regions 304, 404.
[0063] An example of an undulating surface 301 or secondary
undulating surface 401 exhibiting such varying geometric properties
is shown in FIG. 11.
[0064] The interior surface 105 of the teat 100 may comprise a
plurality of strengthening elements, for example comprising
standard ribbed sections as known in the art. The interior surface
105 of the teat 100 may otherwise be of a substantially flat
profile.
[0065] Alternatively, the profile of the inner surface 105 of the
teat 100 may be of any other form. For example, the profile of the
interior surface 105 of the teat 100 may undulate so as to follow
the profile of the undulating surface 301 of the structured area
300 on the exterior surface 104 of the teat 100, thus keeping the
wall 106 of the teat 100 at a constant, or substantially constant,
thickness. This is shown in FIG. 12. Creating a teat wall 106 of
substantially constant thickness in this manner may increase the
strength and durability of the teat 100, and thus may be
advantageous.
[0066] The teat 100 may be manufactured as a complete unit, for
example using a mould, from any suitable material. Suitable
materials may include, for example, silicone, latex or
thermoplastic elastomers (TPE) such as TPE-A or TPE-S. The Shore
hardness of the teat 100 may be in a range between 5 and 70 Shore
A. Alternatively, the Shore hardness may be in a range between 30
and 50 Shore A.
[0067] Referring again to FIG. 1, a first example coverage region
of the structured area 300 on the exterior surface 104 of the teat
100 is shown. FIGS. 13 to 15 show second, third and fourth example
coverage regions of the structured area 300. As can be seen, in all
of these examples, the structured area 300 is provided on at least
a partial region of the stem 101 or nipple 102. The areas of the
exterior surface 104 of the stem 101 or nipple 102 on which the
structured area 300 is not provided may be substantially
smooth.
[0068] Although the teat 100 has been described in relation to
supplying milk or fluid to humans, it will be appreciated that the
teat 100 could alternatively be used for supplying milk to other
mammals. In addition, although the teat 100 has been substantially
discussed in relation to feeding, it will be appreciated that it is
equally applicable for use with a pacifier or other products which
are to be used orally by a child.
[0069] Although claims have been formulated in this application to
particular combinations of features, it should be understood that
the scope of the disclosure of the present invention also includes
any novel features or any novel combination of features disclosed
herein either explicitly or implicitly or any generalisation
thereof, whether or not it relates to the same invention as
presently claimed in any claim and whether or not it mitigates any
or all of the same technical problems as does the present
invention. The applicants hereby give notice that new claims may be
formulated to such features and/or combinations of such features
during the prosecution of the present application or of any further
application derived therefrom.
* * * * *